Rubber cone concrete bucket

ABSTRACT

A concrete bucket structure has a lower rigid assembly including a ring for supporting the structure on the ground. A rigid hopper with an open top is mounted on the ring. Rods are releasably bolted at lower ends to the ring and at upper ends to a second rigid ring thereby supporting the second rigid ring well above the top of the hopper. A rubber cone has the edge of its large open upper end secured to the second rigid ring and its small open lower end hung unattached in the hopper. The upper, rigid ring may be dismantled from the lower rigid assembly by unbolting and removing the rods, to make a smaller package for shipping.

United States Patent [191 Garlingliouse RUBBER CONE CONCRETE BUCKET [76] Inventor: Leslie H. Garlinghouse, 1585 Sierra Madre Villa, Pasadena, Calif. 91107 [22] Filed: Jan. 5, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 215,484

[52] US. Cl. 294/71, 294/69 R [51] Int. Cl. B66c 3/00 [58] Field of Search..... 294/68, 69 R, 71; 37/183 R, 37/183 A; 222/502, 503

[ Jan. 22, 1974 Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant ExaminerJohnny D. Cherry [5 7 ABSTRACT A concrete bucket structure has a lower rigid assembly including a ring for supporting the structure on the ground. A rigid hopper with an open top is mounted on the ring. Rods are releasably bolted at lower ends to the ring and at upper ends to a second rigid ring thereby supporting the second rigid ring well above the top of the hopper. A rubber cone has the edge of its large open upper end secured to the second rigid ring and its small open lower end hung unattached in the hopper. The upper, rigid ring may be dismantled from the lower rigid assembly by unbolting and removing the rods, to make a smaller package for shipping.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJANZQW 3. 787', 084

SHEET 1' BF 4 PATENTED v 3, 787, O 84 SHEET 3 [If 4 F' 5. I Q

1 RUBBER CONE CONCRETE BUCKET Concrete handling and discharge buckets customarily are in the form of a hopper, smaller at the lower end than the upper end and equipped with gates of some kind which can be manipulated either by a power operated mechanical means or by hand to discharge the contents, either entirely at one time or in small increments. Such buckets heretofore in use are exemplified by U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,713,507 and 2,856,222. The buckets are designed for discharging concrete into forms to which they are transported frequently by em ployment of a crane and suspended over the forms while the concrete is discharged. Such discharge buckets vary in capacity from those less than 1 cubic yard to buckets as large as and cubic yards.

Because of the type of construction where there is greatest demand for buckets of this kind, namely, heavy construction work for such things as foundations, highways, bridges, dams, and the like, the discharge buckets after being built need to be shipped considerable distances. Although light in weight, the buckets occupy a considerable amount of cubic space and because shipping rates and particularly ocean shipping rates are predicated to a large degree upon the amount of cubic space occupied, shipping costs are frequently unnecessarily high.

Another factor in the use of such discharge buckets is need for constant cleaning at the end of each days operation. For that reason, unless a bucket is simply constructed and easily handled, an unnecessary amount of time is often required for thorough cleaning at the end of a days operation.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new and improved portable concrete discharge bucket of virtually any capacity which is so constructed that it can be readily knocked down or dismantled for shipping or storagepurposes, quickly and easily, and just as readily reassembled whenever needed for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved concrete discharge bucket which is relatively simply constructed, light in weight in proportion to the amount of material being handled, and which is rigidly constructed throughout those portions where mechanical operation of parts is needed, thereby to assure dependable performance but which at the same time is constructed throughout the remaining portion of the device of collapsible type materials so that the bucket can be readily dismantled when needed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved concrete discharge bucket which incorporates a flexible chute into which a concrete mix is deposited and from which the mix flows to a section equipped with discharge gates, the flexible chute being not only collapsible for shipping and storage purposes but also for purposes such as cleaning while the device remains completely assembled.

Also included among the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved concrete discharge bucket equipped with a flexible chute having a relationship to the assembled bucket such that the flexible chute becomes the principal carrying medium for the fresh concrete and the rigid structure is substantially confined to the mechanical action for mounting the discharge gates and a frame-like support for holding the flexible chute in proper position above the gate mechanism for receiving and discharging concrete.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of the concrete placing bucket structure in completely assembled condition and resting upon some appropriate surface.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on the circular line 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1'.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the circular line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second form of the device.

FIG. 6 is a plan view on the line 66 of FIG. 5 partially broken away. i

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on the line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on the circular line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration, there is shown a concrete bucket structure indicated generally by the reference character 10 shown resting upon a supporting base 11. The structure in the main consists of a lower, rigid assembly 12 attached to and supported by a rigid, open, lower, perimetrical section 13, here taking the form of a flanged ring. A rigid, open, upper, perimetrical section 14 is supported at a location above the lower rigid assembly 12 by employment of struts l5, l5, 15'', etc., in a position such that a flexible chute 16 is carried by the upper perimetrical section 14 and has its lower end suspended within the lower, rigid assembly The lower, rigid assembly 12 is constructed of sundry parts including a stiff hopper 20, usually of sheet metal, which consists of a frusto-conical upper portion 21 and a lower, straight walled discharged portion 22. A tubular ring 23 forms the top edge of the conical upper portion and tubular bracing members 24 spaced circumferentially around the hopper 20 are welded at lower ends firmly to the lower perimetrical section 13 and at upper ends to the tubular rings 23. The bracing mem bers, sloping in the directions shown, form lateral bracing to stiffen the lower rigid assembly as well as forming a columnar support for the hopper 20.

Discharge gates 25 and 26 are shown in FIG. 1 closing the outlet of the discharge portion 22. The discharge gates swing on pivot pins 27, 28, when manipulated by means ofa handle 29 to open the gates to a discharge position and subsequently to close them. Actuator arms 30 and 31 interconnect upper ends of the discharge gates 25 and 26 respectively, and a synchronizer link 32 causes the gates to operate substantially simultaneously.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, inclusive, the struts 15, 15', 15, etc., are tubular sections substantially equal in length, each having respective upper and lower flattened ends 33 and 34. The upperflattened ends are fastened by means of bolts 35 to tabs 36 which are welded to and form part of the upper perimetrical section 14, the tabs being spaced substantially equidistant, circumferentially around the upper perimetrical section. In a similar fashion, bolts 37 fasten the lower, flattened ends 34 to tabs 38 which are spaced substantially equidistant, circumferentially around the lower perimetrical section 13. Lugs 39 fastened to the upper perimetrical section 14 are adapted to be engaged by an appropriate sling for lifting and transport ing the concrete bucket structure.

To properly fasten the chute 16 to the upper perimetrical section 14 there is provided an inner clamping ring 40 which engages a collar 41 of the chute 16, the ring 40 being bolted through the collar to the ring 14 by appropriate bolts 42.

It will be observed that the chute 16 is generally of a frusto-conical shape having a relatively larger, upper end 45 and a relatively smaller, lower end 46. What is of particular note is that the angular disposition of the side of the chute 16 is smaller than the angular disposition of the frusto-conical upper portion 21 so that there is a clearance 47 where the lower end 46 is freely suspended within the upper portion 21 of the hopper 20. This is a precaution to prevent undue wear on the chute 16 which, being of flexible character, might tend to bulge slightly when filled, over the tubular ring 23. By providing the clearance 47, even though there be some inadvertent bulging, it will not be sufficient to bring the wall of the chute 16 into engagement with the tubular ring 23.

In operation when the structure is to be filled with fresh concrete, the semi-liquid concrete is emptied into the upper end of the chute I6 while the, gates 25 and 26 are in closed position. The weight of the load of concrete is sufficient to hold the lower end 46 of the chute comfortably within the hopper 20 without there being any need for fastening the chute t the hopper. When the structure has been placed in proper position over forms which are to be filled with wet concrete the gates 25 and 26 are opened by manipulation of the handle 29 and the contents discharged downwardly. By reason of the fact that the gates are mounted upon the lower rigid assembly exemplified by the hopper 20 in its position supported by the tubular bracing members 24 on the lower perimetrical section 13, action of the gates is stabilized and they can be moved to open and closed position or partly open and partly closed position without disturbing the flexible chute 16.

At the end of a cycle of operation or at the end of a days run when the device is to be cleaned the flexible chute 16 can be kicked clear of the hopper 20 and thoroughly hosed down, the hopper also being subject to being readily hosed down while the chute is removed in order to thoroughly clean concrete from the device. The chute 16 can then be reinserted and the structure is ready for the next operation.

On those occasions when a concrete bucket structure of the type described is to be shipped the structure can be partially disassembled and shipped in compact form. This is accomplished by removal of the bolts 35 and 37 from respective upper and lower ends of the struts I5, I5", etc., and the struts entirely removed from the respective lower and upper perimetrical sections 13 and I4. Inasmuch as the chute I6 is of flexible material it may be folded into a compact position or, if desired, temporarily removed from the upper perimetrical section 14. The perimetrical sections for shipping purposes can be stacked one over the other, the handle 29 moved downwardly to gate open position and the struts 15 15', I5" bundled and confined with the compacted arrangement of parts which can thereby be boxed for shipment in a package less than half the height of the assembled bucket structure. Upon arrival at the destination and subsequent to unpacking all that is necessary to assemble the bucket structure into operating position is to again bolt the struts to the respective lower and upper perimetrical sections, suspend the chute 16 in the hopper 20, and the device is ready for immediate operation.

In a second form of the invention illustrated in FIGS.

59, inclusive, there is disclosed a rubber cone concrete bucket structure of similar character but wherein struts 50, acting as columns are not removable. In this form of device a lower perimetrical structure is built into right and left halves 51 and 52, as viewed in FIG. 5, there being provided an open space 53 between the halves. An upper perimetrical structure 54 is of somewhat composit construction and consists of a sheet metal collar 55 having a tubular ring 56 at the upper end and another tubular ring 57 at the lowerend. An extension 58 of a flexible chute 59 is clamped to the collar 55 by means of clamping ring 60 held in position by appropriate bolts 61. Someof these bolts also serve the purpose of fastening bracket 62 to the upper perimetrical structure for handling the device. A cross brace 63 extends diametrically across the collar 55 from one bracket 62 to the other.

A hopper, indicated generally by the reference character 65 has a stiff frusto-conical upper portion 66 and a lower stiff discharge portion 67. A tubular stiffening ring 68 at the upper end of the upper portion serves as a structure to which is attached supporting columns 69 extending downwardly to achored engagement with the lower perimetrical structure SI. The supporting columns are preferably angularly disposed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 to provide proper lateral bracing as well as columnar support.

In this form of the device, similar to the form first described, there are provided the discharge gates 25 and 26 similarly mounted for opening and closing upon the pivot pins 27 and 28 and adapted to be manipulated by a handle 29.

The structure of FIGS. 5'9, inclusive, is a unitary structure wherein the chute 59, although fixed in position on the upper perimetrical structure, hangs freely and unattached within the hopper 65, spaced from the wall of the hopper in a manner similar to the spacing described and shown in connection with FIG. 2, so that the chute may be removed from the hopper for cleaning purposes and readily replaced without any dismantling being necessary.

While the invention has herein been shown and described in what is conceived to be a practical and effective embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope ofthe claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent is:

l. A concrete placing bucket structure comprising a rigid, open, lower perimetrical section adapted to support the structure on a supporting base, a rigid hopper mounted in fixed position on the perimetrical section,

said hopper having a generally conically shaped wall structure with a relatively larger open, top end and a relatively smaller, open bottom end and gate means for opening and closing said bottom end, a rigid open upper perimetrical section, a plurality of struts having lower ends anchored to the lower perimetrical section and upper ends anchored to the upper perimetrical section, and a cone of flexible material having an open, relatively larger upper end and an open, relatively smaller lower end, the edge of the upper end being secured to the upper perimetrical section and the lower end being suspended unattached in said hopper and extending into said hopper for a substantial portion of the length of the conically shaped wall structure.

2. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein the struts are releasably bolted at lower ends to the lower perimetrical section and releasably bolted at upper ends to the upper perimetrical section.

3. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein the conically shaped wall structure of the hopper flares outwardly at an angle greater than the wall of the lower end of said cone whereby the exterior of the cone is clear of the interior of the hopper.

4. A concrete placing bucket as in claim I wherein said struts comprise bracing disposed in a direction tilted angularly from the vertical, upper ends of said struts being releasably bolted to the upper perimetrical section and lower ends of said struts being releasably bolted to the lower perimetrical section.

5. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein the lower perimetrical section is open at locations in transverse alignment with said gate means and said struts are in fixed anchored engagement with the respective perimetrical sections.

6. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein said cone of flexible material extends throughout substantially the distance between the top and bottom ends of the conically shaped wall structure of the hopper. 

1. A concrete placing bucket structure comprising a rigid, open, lower perimetrical section adapted to support the structure on a supporting base, a rigid hopper mounted in fixed position on the perimetrical section, said hopper having a generally conically shaped wall structure with a relatively larger open, top end and a relatively smaller, open bottom end and gate means for opening and closing said bottom end, a rigid open upper perimetrical section, a plurality of struts having lower ends anchored to the lower perimetrical section and upper ends anchored to the upper perimetrical section, and a cone of flexible material having an open, relatively larger upper end and an open, relatively smaller lower end, the edge of the upper end being secured to the upper perimetrical section and the lower end being suspended unattached in said hopper and extending into said hopper for a substantial portion of the length of the conically shaped wall structure.
 2. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein the struts are releasably bolted at lower ends to the lower perimetrical section and releasably bolted at upper ends to the upper perimetrical section.
 3. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein the conically shaped wall structure of the hopper flares outwardly at an angle greater than the wall of the lower end of said cone whereby the exterior of the cone is clear of the interior of the hopper.
 4. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein said struts comprise bracing diSposed in a direction tilted angularly from the vertical, upper ends of said struts being releasably bolted to the upper perimetrical section and lower ends of said struts being releasably bolted to the lower perimetrical section.
 5. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein the lower perimetrical section is open at locations in transverse alignment with said gate means and said struts are in fixed anchored engagement with the respective perimetrical sections.
 6. A concrete placing bucket as in claim 1 wherein said cone of flexible material extends throughout substantially the distance between the top and bottom ends of the conically shaped wall structure of the hopper. 